Beginning Monday, only use the back door on buses

For those buses with only a fare box up front, fares will be waived

Loading in the front of buses equipped with back doors are a thing of the past, at least as long as the coronavirus crisis continues.

JULIUS CONSTANTINE MOTAL / File

Support Local Journalism

The coronavirus crisis is threatening many of the important businesses you rely on every day, but don't let it take away your source for local news.

Now more than ever, we need your help to ensure nothing but the best in hyperlocal community journalism comes straight to you. Consider supporting The Riverdale Press with your donation. It can be one-time, or a monthly contribution, to help ensure we're here through this crisis.

These are dollars that stay right here in your community, bringing you news from your community and important to your community.

Slipping onto a bus through the back door isn't just for fare-jumpers anymore. Beginning Monday, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority wants any rider getting on a bus to use only the back doors. And if there's no way to pay going through that door, the fare is free.

The move, according to the MTA, is to protect drives from the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Fares will still be charged on Select buses, as well as express buses. However, on express buses, while riders will board from the front, they will not be permitted to sit in the first three rows.

"While Gov. Cuomo has ordered non-essential workers beginning Sunday night to remain in their homes and not take mass transit, we are taking aggressive action to protect our thousands of frontline employees who are delivering a critical service to New York, moving the health care workers, first responders, utility workers and essential employees who are protecting us from this public health crisis," said Pat Foye, the MTA's chair and chief executive, in a release.

"Transit workers are the lifeblood of ths city and region, and we are going to do eerything we can to protect their health and safety."

Customers with disabilities will still be able to board at the front of local and Select buses.

The policy will remain in effect until further notice.

Follow all the local coverage of the coronavirus pandemic and how it relates to your neighborhood at RiverdalePress.com/coronavirus. Sign up for our newsletter to get daily updates on coverage and closing by sending your email address to newsroom@riverdalepress.com. And finally, keep up with all the latest closures, postponements and what you can still take part in with our continuously updated list by clicking here.

So many words have been written and spoken about Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer since all four feet, seven inches of her first walked onto the public stage in 1980. She’s lived just south of us in Washington Heights since well before she was known outside her circle of friends. And many of her family — including a daughter and grandchildren — call Riverdale home.